Determined to get the message across, students take their testimony online

By now, hopefully you've heard about the environmental attacks coming from Virginia's state capitol this session. From Governor McDonnell's transportation bill aimed at deincentivizing more efficient cars like hybrid and electric vehicles, to the backroom deals between Dominion and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to kill clean energy in Virginia, we've got a lot to stand up for.

As a part of the ongoing youth effort to pressure elected officials to consider the climate this session, on Thursday, January 31st, students from Virginia Commonwealth University prepared to testify in front of the General Assembly's House Commerce & Labor committee to support stronger amendments to the Renewable Portfolio Standard. The RPS, our core clean energy law in Virginia, is facing language that could strip the bill of its powers to incentivize renewables in the state. Through flash mobs, sit-ins and stand-ups, rallies, and parades, we have put the message out there- we want wind and solar, and we want a stronger RPS.

But on Thursday, a group of dedicated students had the last straw. Before they had a chance to testify for a stronger RPS, the bill died in the energy subcommittee just minutes before the full committee meeting. Determined to get their message out there, the students shot this video in front of the state capitol to tell their legislators how serious they are about a clean energy future for Virginia.

Shot with a flip cam on the capitol steps, in just one take, this is what we had to say.

If you support our efforts to make our legislators listen, help us out by tweeting the video to: @VaHouse and @VaSenate, #FixTheRPS !